A major decision I had to make on my path to becoming a nurse practitioner was which type of medical career was right for me. I completed the pre-med curriculum in college and earned grades that would make me attractive as a medical school applicant. I had originally planned to become a physician. So, naturally I should apply to medical school; after all, MD's earn more than NP's right?

Prospective nurse practitioners are rightly fascinated by the 'bridge' or accelerated nurse practitioner programs offered by many schools. These programs present an excellent opportunity for students seeking a career change. Accelerated nurse practitioner programs offer students the opportunity to attend a two to three year program through which they obtain both an RN and MSN degree. Which schools offer accelerated nurse practitioner degrees? How long do these programs take? Most importantly, how much do they cost?

I follow many nursing blogs and frequently have readers contact me seeking advice on how to make it through their NP programs. I have observed one major theme in my online interactions with other nurse practitioners and NP students: a lot of us are overwhelmed. Making it through your nurse practitioner program is frustrating, time consuming and challenging. The fast pace of the NP education can leave you feeling as if you are drowning. So how do you make it through?

Becoming a nurse practitioner is a costly decision (but it will be worth it). Avoiding unnecessary expense in getting your NP education prevents the headache of paying off a chunk of loans once you graduate leaving you free to enjoy your new career. If you wish to go about getting your nurse practitioner degree in a financially savvy manner, which schools will offer you a quality education at an affordable price?

The typical path to becoming a nurse practitioner requires that students complete a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) followed by a Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN). For those of us who did not know we wanted to become NP's and did not complete an undergraduate degree in nursing or who are making a career change to complete a MSN degree, technically we should have to return to school to first obtain our BSN. But is there a faster way to become a nurse practitioner?

In the creating to the 2012 Guide to Nurse Practitioner Programs, I was shocked to find that some schools responded to my inquiries about their pass rate on the national certification exam by stating that a national certification exam is not required for nur